TR: trail run

freedan · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1469 Location: Mohawk Valley

Piss poor snowpack has me doing more trail running than skiing. Can't get to worked up about clanking around ski gear on less than 1' of snow when I can cover ground faster and more efficiently with a pair of sneakers.

Question of those experienced with longer ultras: I'm signed up for my first 100 this summer and one week prior is a 33 mile wilderness race that I really want to do. Would I be cutting it too close using the 33 mile race as my last long workout before shutting it down for a week leading up to the 100? I'll have a big mileage base by then will have been putting in at least 75 trail miles per week for several weeks including some big back to back workouts with runs of at least 30 miles and a punishing 50 mile trail race 2 months prior (supposed to be one of the most difficult in the country featuring very rough singletrack trail and well over 10,000' vert gained - exact stats not available yet). So in your experienced opinion am I setting myself up for failure in the 100 or will a week of rest, good nutrition and hydration be enough to recover and be ready? I know the time between races isn't ideal but can it be done if done right? Uncharted territory for me. Thanks for any advice.

cesare · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 2:17 pm Post subject:

Dan, I don't have the longer ultra experience, but my one ultra provided me with a perspective. Nine days before what should have been an easy 50 k I ran the most difficult section of the Leadville 100 course--26 miles and 7,000 feet of climbing on the double crossing of Hope Pass. I think it was too close and it hurt me in the ultra. I finished, but not well. My right ankle was giving me problems from mile 1 and I walked a lot more than I expected to. You are likely a lot stronger than I was then so your experience might differ, but if I were to do it again, I would not go that long within the two weeks before.
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that sounds like a sure-fire way to get bitch-slapped by devil's club -- dschane

freedan · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1469 Location: Mohawk Valley

That is what I'm kind of suspecting cesare. Tough to do all the races I want to but have the appropriate down time and training in between. Probably should pick one and do it well instead of trying to do two that close and just try to survive the week.

freedan · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1469 Location: Mohawk Valley

That is what I'm kind of suspecting cesare. Tough to do all the races I want to but have the appropriate down time and training in between. Probably should pick one and do it well instead of trying to do two that close and just try to survive the week.

gdaut · Joined: 01 Mar 2005 Posts: 2073 Location: Utah

I am not an expert by any means, but I have run a few 100s and a hand full or two of 50s, 100K, 50K etc. I think 33 miles the week before could be too much. Might not be, but I think there is a risk you will end up too tired, with blisters or sore knees or ankles or something. If you have done these kind of distances before, I would err on going into the 100 well rested and healthy.

(I am 51 years old, which may factor into the amount of rest I need.)

freedan · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 1469 Location: Mohawk Valley

^^^ Thanks gdaut

Tele-G · Posted: Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:32 pm Post subject:

I'd say back that 33 up by a few more days. Give yourself ten days of rest to make sure you're 100% ready. For me, if I haven't run in ten days and I know I've got a big race coming up, I'll be super itching to run come race day. But that's just me.. Good luck!
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Running for my life

christopher3000 · Joined: 07 Dec 2004 Posts: 1264 Location: SLC

I experienced a percect fitness peak for my first 100 this fall at The Bear in Utah having put in big mileage 5, 4, and 3 weeks out, and then tapering from there. I'd say a true race effort for 50k a week out without knowing how much recovery you'll need for 100 miles would be reckless.
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bristlecone · Joined: 19 Feb 2008 Posts: 339 Location: Singapore

More ammunition for The Barefoot Wars... sort of.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/02/08/why-runners-get-injured/

Tele-G · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 3:04 pm Post subject:

Hey fellow runners...Thought I'd ask a knee question. Has anyone had pain in the back of their knee? I didn't have a traumatic injury, but rather I think it's just over use. It only hurts when I walk, but not when I run. With such a mild winter here in Eastern Montana I've been running lots...40-60 miles a week. I've developed a small 'popping' in the back of my right knee. I've tried taking time off of running, up to ten days, but it's still there. Anyone else experienced this? thanks...
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Running for my life

cesare · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2012 5:21 pm Post subject:

Can you describe where behind the knee more precisely? Popping sounds not good. But if the pain is in a tendon, rest should be good. If the pain is because something deep inside is not stable, no bueno. Get it checked out maybe.
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that sounds like a sure-fire way to get bitch-slapped by devil's club -- dschane

Tele-G · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:20 pm Post subject:

mekon · Joined: 25 Feb 2007 Posts: 1155 Location: vancouver, b.c.

I'm not a doctor but I play one on the interwebs:

http://www.medicinenet.com/baker_cyst/article.htm

Perhaps a Baker Cyst?

Tele-G · Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2012 10:58 pm Post subject: